Method for the preparation of prostaglandin synthetase

Abstract

A method for the preparation of purified prostaglandin synthetase from bovine seminal vesicles is disclosed. The method includes the steps of homogenizing bovine seminal vesicles with a liquid medium to form an homogenate and centrifuging the homogenate at a speed such that the centrifugal force does not exceed 1,000g. The supernatant obtained, containing prostaglandin synthetase, is separated from the solids.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the preparation of prostaglandin synthetase from bovine seminal vesicles which comprises the steps of: homogenizing said vesicles with sufficient liquid medium to form an homogenate, subjecting said homogenate to low-speed centrifugation wherein said centrifugation is sufficient to form a solid phase and a liquid phase, and wherein said centrifugation does not exceed about 1,000g, to obtain a supernatant fraction containing prostaglandin synthetase. 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid medium consists essentially of water. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ratio of bovine seminal vesicles to liquid medium is from about 1:1 to about 1:3. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid medium is phosphate buffer solution. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein reduced glutathione is added to said supernatant. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prostaglandin synthetase is recovered by lyophilizing said supernatant. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, prior to homogenization, said vesicles are washed, freed of fat and connective tissues and ground to a coarse mixture.